Michael Hissam: Bridge program provides benefits

Border wait times for participating trusted commercial carriers should plummet in 2013 as a pilot program develops at the Zaragoza-Ysleta crossing.

Toby Spoon, president of Secure Origins, said his group has a method to speed commercial traffic into the United States.

"This is the solution for the border wait times," he said. "We continue to test border crossing optimization technology with trusted shippers. We plan to activate the pilot in February of 2013."

Secure Origins, an El Paso technology company focused on reducing bridge wait times, has technology to improve the flow for northbound commercial traffic at the Lower Valley bridge. The city of El Paso participates through sponsorship of the 90-day pilot program.

Spoon explained that in addition to reduced wait times, program participants will benefit through enhanced cargo security, driver safety and emission reductions.

Q There have been several proposals to expedite commercial traffic northbound. What makes this one stand out?

A Advanced information technology tracking northbound shipments acts as an electronic escort ready to provide information or alert Customs and Border Protection and trusted shippers to possible contamination of cargo. The enhanced security begins at the shipping dock in Mexico. We track the movement all the way from the secure perimeter at the plant into the crossing at El Paso. If there is any deviation in the route or something unusual about the time from dock to U.S. inspection, the shipper is notified as well as Customs and Border Protection in the United States. We expect large economies of scale and a return on investment for participants.

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Q What in Secure Origins' technology would reduce wait times and permit additional daily crossings for the same tractor-trailer?

A Risk segmentation becomes the key. By implementing risk segmentation, the entire process of crossing freight becomes faster, more efficient, safer and it significantly reduces emissions. Our unique ability to gather the pertinent real-time data into usable and useful bits for industry, carriers along with the CBP and Aduanas in Mexico is what streamlines the process.

Q How would this program boost safety at the border, as well as the approaches?

A Today drivers and trucks are putting in very, very long hours in order to get just two turns a day. Our goal, and it is easily achievable, is to make the transiting process through Mexican and U.S. Customs more consistent and predictable, thereby allowing three turns a day in 30 percent less time. This takes tired drivers off the streets earlier and back home with their families at a decent hour. Reduction in the fatigue factor with drivers provides an immediately safer environment on our streets.

A second safety benefit is applied to our agents. The truck moves more efficiently through customs and the agents will have visibility on the truck they are inspecting. They will know if it deviated from its designated route; if there is a risk of contamination. Preparedness translates into greater safety.

Q What sort of measurable dividend would this provide in terms of environmental quality?

A As our friend and founder of Secure Origins, Hector Holguin, would say, environmental impact of this pilot program is "huge!" It will provide a reduction in emissions by trucks into the atmosphere by a whopping 27 percent at the border crossing.

The EPA has invited Secure Origins to participate in a special program recognizing the impact our operation as one of the most significant ways to reduce border emissions.

As of now the best programs offer a mere 3 percent reduction in emissions. Neighborhoods, drivers, agents, as well as inspection dogs all benefit from cleaner air in the congested areas.

Q How would this offer time savings for trusted shippers who have signed on to participate?

A Risk segmentation and pre-approval into the Trusted Shipper process by CBP and Aduanas provides shippers with consistent and predictable crossing schedules. Through this great cooperative effort on both sides of the border, bridge wait times will be reduced from an average of 76 minutes to about 15 to 20 minutes. Participants who get trusted shipper status will have a dramatic reduction in the number of secondary inspections which is what causes interruption costs in both real time and money for shippers.

Q If a shipper signs on now, what changes for that organization at full implementation of this pilot at Zaragoza-Ysleta?

A The important benefit to industry is more movements across the border in less time with less equipment and overall less operating cost. More control, greater predictability at a lower cost.

The city of El Paso plays a major role in this effort.

Q Please explain.

A The city of El Paso is sponsoring this 90-day pilot program to pave the way for implementation. We have been working very closely with Mayor (John) Cook's administration and share our data with them to illustrate the advantages of this program. We are grateful for their support.

Q You keep saying, "This solution keeps on giving." Where does "giving" enter the picture?

A I have been in industry for 22 years now and our focus is always on seeking solutions. Better ways to get things done and we feel really good when we are able to effect positive changes. I have to say in my entire career I am hard pressed to recall anything that provides so many solutions to so many problems and each of those solutions creates a subset of solutions as a consequence. Let me give you just one example in one case mentioned above just by tackling the challenge of reducing bridge wait times.

By setting up and efficient flow and identifying Trusted Shippers this means that more truck flow through the inspection areas in less time. This in turn allows for more strategic use of human resources at the ports. By simply segmenting C-TPAT and trusted shippers form the rest of the group it automatically results in faster and more organized transit for both groups through customs. More agents are available to inspect the regular shipments. Regular shippers and carriers are going to see a real benefit to enrolling in the program because of efficiencies and economics.

Ultimately this could mean more agents on the private vehicle crossings. As we explore each area of safety, reduction in emissions, more turns per day, reduced costs, healthier neighborhoods, drivers and agents, et cetera, we see and experience more and multiplied benefits. That is why we say this is the solution that keeps on giving. I am very excited for what this means for us here in El Paso and all along the border.

Michael Hissam is president of Trans-National Executive Communications. He may be reached at michael.tnec@ymail.com